Once full deployment of the network is complete (summer 2007), MetroFi will deliver the mobility and convenience of free wireless Internet access to 95% of Concord's outdoor and indoor spaces.
"We commend the City of Concord for its foresight and leadership in bringing free Internet access to its constituents through a partnership with MetroFi," says Chuck Haas, MetroFi's President and CEO. "There are numerous social and economic benefits with a municipal Wi-Fi network. For instance, MetroFi's network can provide significant cost-savings to residents, visitors, and local businesses, while helping to bridge the digital divide and improving productivity for Concord's mobile workers."
The current coverage area for MetroFi's Concord network spans east of Monument Blvd. and State Highway 242, and northwest of Treat Blvd.; up to Willow Pass Rd. (in the southeast) and Highway 4 (in the northwest). Concord residents, businesses, city workers and visitors can look at a current coverage map and check to see if they are in the Phase 1 coverage area by entering their location address at http://www.metrofi.net/concord.
To connect to MetroFi's network, a wireless-enabled computer is required, and users select the "MetroFi-Free" network ID in the "Wireless Network Connection" device manager on their computer. Once connected, users will experience DSL-like connection speeds -- up to one megabyte per second downstream and 256 kilobytes per second upstream. For the best reception indoors, MetroFi recommends the use of a Wi-Fi modem, though this signal-boosting equipment is not required for all users or coverage areas.
